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Saturday, August 23, 2008

OK this is long, but worth watching. It's a show called One Step Beyond, from 1961, about psychedelic mushrooms (i.e., magic mushrooms) and whether or not they enhance ESP.

There are so many fascinating / hilarious things about this video. The way they talk funny ("a man was shot!"... "and shot AT!"); the host himself eagerly gobbling up mushrooms, then totally tripping balls ("I feel like I'd like to dive in the middle of it!"); the revelation that reality TV has never really been "real."

The results of the test are also interesting. It's done in an at least somewhat scientific, controlled manner, and there are some dramatic results there even if you consider that it's been heavily edited. It's too bad that shrooms are now illegal to grow or possess, because some better research along these lines could've been illuminating. Plus they are good clean fun. I doubt that anyone has ever gotten into much trouble while seeing pretty colours and thinking they're psychic. Alcohol, on the other hand...

About Phronk

My name is Mike. Some people call me Phronk. I'm a person, and I live in London, Ontario, Canada. I write a lot, hence the blog, but also do a lot of other stuff, including: eating, reading, watching stuff on screens, sleeping, using web sites, and walking. I have a PhD in psychology, which is why I'm so smart and you have to call me "doctor." I research and analyze technology for a living. Now you know everything about me.